DP World Tour Championship - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from Thursday's play at the final Rolex Series event of the season.

Michael Kim was the man to catch after the first round of the 2025 DP World Tour Championship but he had a stellar chasing pack just behind him.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's play at the final Rolex Series event of the season.

Kim leads the way

Kim produced a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine to sign for a flawless 64 and open up a one-shot lead on eight under par. After carding three birdies on the front nine, the American reeled off a hat-trick from the tenth before picking up further shots on the 14th and 15th. The last of his birdies came after a remarkable recovery. He was out of position at the 15th after his tee-shot went left and landed among the trees. But he managed to send his second shot from the sand to five feet and set up a bonus birdie.

Robinson Thompson takes full advantage

Brandon Robinson Thompson insisted he is not just in Dubai to "make the numbers up" this week after firing a bogey-free opening round to reach five under par. The Englishman began the week 51st on the Race to Dubai Rankings and only got into the field for the season finale due to the absence of Viktor Hovland. He made the most of his chance, carding five birdies to sign for a 67 and said: "Last man in, so probably the most grateful to be here. Shout out to Viktor Hovland, thanks very much for pulling out. I'm buzzing to be here and grateful. I'm a competitor; so don't let it fool you. I'm not here just to make the numbers up. I'm here to compete and I love doing that too."

Fleetwood maintains magnificent form

Tommy Fleetwood's last few months have been simply outstanding. Having ended his long wait for a first PGA TOUR title at the Tour Championship to capture the FedExCup in August, he then played a key role in Europe's historic away Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black in September and won the DP World India Championship last month. He also went close at last week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but lost out to Aaron Rai in a tense play-off on Sunday. The Dubai resident kept the momentum going on day one at Jumeirah Golf Estates as he shot a spotless 65 to sit one shot off the lead and one clear of Race to Dubai Rankings leader Rory McIlroy.

Lowry's super start

Many players flew out of the blocks on day one but no-one made a faster start than Shane Lowry. Playing in the first group out at 08.15 local time, the Irishman opened his round with four successive birdies thanks to a very hot putter. He also finished his round with an eight-foot birdie on the 18th to post a 68 and sit at four under.

Penge nearly makes albatross

Marco Penge knows he needs a big week if he is going to leapfrog McIlroy and win the Harry Vardon Trophy. And he nearly made the perfect start to that bid at the second as his approach almost dropped in for what would have been an albatross. This really was very close indeed.